Metering damper outlet



June 17, 1941. Q M ASHLEY 2,246,338

METERING DAMPER OUTLET Filed Nov. 17, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E W a a.

Jaw-

L s 3 5 38 g g 36 O 34 INVENTO R CARLYLE M vs/145v BY 7A,. 3%

ATTORNEY June- 17; 1941. c. ASHLEY METERING DAMPER OUTLET Filed Nov. 17, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TE'JU.

lNVENTOR C/VZLYLE M fisfiLEy BYM E g ATTORNEY Patented June 17, 1941 METERING DAMPER OUTLET Carlyle M. Ashley, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Carrier Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application November 17, 1938, Serial No. 240,915

Claims.

This invention relates to air discharge and distribution, and more particularly to air outlets used in the ventilation and air conditioning of encldsures.

In the air conditioning of enclosures, and particularly those used for human occupancy, one of the most troublesome difiiculties encountered is that of providing for the desired distribution and circulation of air within the enclosures. Especially when relatively cool air is supplied to an enclosure under summer operating conditions, the air supply must be so controlled that the enclosure will be free from drafts, and so that healthful and comfortable conditions may prevail throughout the zone of occupancy. In general, optimum conditions of air distribution and circulation may be provided for upon the installation of an air conditioning system by careful.

determination of the number and location of the air discharge outlets and exhaust openings, adjustment of the direction of air discharge, and similar factors. However, such balancing of an air conditioning system, as it is termed, is generally predicated upon the maintenance of a predetermined velocity of air discharge. So long as. this predetermined velocity is maintained, the desired distribution and circulation may readily be effected, but if for any reason the discharge velocity of the air is altered, the balanced distribution will no longer obtain and the intended results will not be achieved. Thus, for example,

wherein a remotely located conditioning apparai tus supplies air to a plurality of spaced air outlets, it is common practice to compensate for variations in heat load by variably controlling the amount of air discharged at the outlets, as by means of dampers. Thus if the heat load in one room of a conditioned building is reduced, for example, as by a reduction in the number of occupants, less conditioned air would be supplied tothat room; whereas if the heat load were increased for any reason, more air would be supplied to the room.

Such variation of the air volumes supplied is not in itself harmful or objectionable, but generally, where conventional outlets are used and the static pressure in the duct varies, such variation of the air volumes is accocmpanied by material change in the velocity at which air is discharged, which change impairs the intended operation of the system with respect to the distribution and circulation of air.

The general object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for discharging air at substantially constant velocity, while the volume of air delivered per unit of time may be varied as desired. Accordingly, compensation for variations in thermal load may be made without at any time: interfering with predetermined optimum conditions of air discharge, distribution and circulation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method of and apparatus for controlling the discharge of air from a duct or like source under pressure in such manner as to insure against whistling noises, excessive rates of air circulation and other undesirable effects of excessive discharge velocity, and against spilling, drafts and other undesirable effects of insufficient discharge velocity, while at all times permitting the volume of air discharged to be varied through a wide range.

It is another object of the invention to provide for improved regulation of air discharge from a duct system or the like, by the ultilization of relatively high static pressures at the points of air discharge.

It is another object of the invention to provide an air discharge means for effecting air discharge in accordance with the requirements set forth above, which is relatively simple and inexpensive, and which is entirely reliable in operation.

Broadly, these and other objects are attained .by the provision of a stabilizeror resistance plate proximate an air outlet grille of any desired type and proximate a damper adapted to control the volume of air delivered to the outlet, the stabilizer preferably being positioned between the damper and the outlet grille. The stabilizer preferably extends substantially completely across the air passageway in which it is situated and offers a static resistance to air flow which is relatively high as compared with that of conventional outlet grilles or the. like. Thus, for example, a stabilizer in accordance with the invention might offer a static resistance of the order of .25 water gauge, as compared with the resistance offered by a conventional outlet grille of approximately .05. The relatively high resistance of the stabilizer relieves the damper of any function save that of controlling the volume of air delivered by the outlet, and provides for the: delivery of such air at substantially constant velocity regardless of changes in volume resulting from varying adjustment of the damper.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following description, to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an outlet embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken lengthwise of the outlet on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the outlet of Fig. 1, illustrating the damper control mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section in plan, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to that of Fig. 2, illustrating the application of the invention to a modified form of outlet;

Figs. 6, land 8 respectively diagrammatically illustrate various means for adjusting the position of the damper used for regulating the air volume delivered from an outlet embodying the invention;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, illustrating a modification of the invention, the damper being shown in the position of maximum opening;

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating the arrangement of Fig. 9 with the damper in the position of maximum closure; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in plan of the arrangement of Figs. 9 and 10, illustrating the connection of the operating lever to the upper leaf of the damper.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral l5 designates an air distributing duct or the like which may be connected, for example, with a remotely located air conditioning apparatus and which is adapted to deliver conditioned air therefrom to an outlet generally designated IS, The outlet It comprises a casing I! having an inlet opening l8 communicating with the interior of duct l5 and an outlet opening l9 through which air is adapted to be discharged from the outlet H5. Preferably, the outlet 16 is provided with a face plate or the like 20 secured to a wall or partition 2!, the face plate serving to maintain the remainder of the outlet structure in desired position within the duct. It will be apparent, of course, that the outlet structure may be supported in any other suitable manner, if desired. The outlet opening H? of the outlet l6 may be provided with a grille or the like of any desired type. Preferably, the outlet is provided with a series of horizontally extending vanes 22 and a series of vertically extending vanes 23, the vanes 22 and 23 preferably being pivotally mounted so that air discharge from the outlet may be directionally controlled in accordance with the requirements of the area served by the outlet.

To control the amount of air which is delivered through the outlet Hi there is provided a damper 24 which is journalled in the sides of easing I! as indicated at 25, as by means of a rod 25. Rod 26 and the damper 24 are firmly attached, so that rotation of the rod 26 will effect rotation of the damper 24.

While the rod 26 may be rotated in any desired manner, it is preferred to provide an operating lever 21 which extends through a channel 28 formed in the face plate 20 and is pivotally connected to the side of casing I! as indicated at 28. The lever 21 is pivotally connected at 29 to a connecting arm 30 which is in turn pivotally connected at 3| to rod portion 26a, constituting an extension of rod 26 and disposed at right angles to the portion of rod 26 which is secured to the damper 24. An advantage of this arrangement is that it permits rotation of the damper 24 through a relatively wide angle when the lever 21 is rotated through a relatively small angle, and hence the portion 21a of the operating lever 21, which extends through the face plate 20, need be moved through only a relatively short distance to effect a relatively great chang in the position of the damper 24 which it controls. When the operating lever 21 is in the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3, the damper 24 is in position to permit maximum air flow through the outlet l6, whereas when the operating lever 21 is in the position indicated by dotted lines, the damper 24 substantially completely interrupts air flow through the outlet.

As pointed out above, where a damper is used to vary the amount of air delivered to a conventional outlet having a low static resistance of the order, for example, of .05, and where the static pressure in the supply duct is approximately constant, variations in the position of the damper have the effect of causing air to be discharged from the outlet at different velocities. The present invention, however, provides for the delivery of air from an outlet at substantially constant velocity, regardless of variations in the position of the controlling damper and consequent variations in the amount of air which is delivered to the outlet for discharge therefrom.

This is accomplished by providing, preferably between the damper 24 and the discharge end of the outlet, a stabilizer plate 32 extending substantially completely across the path of air pass ing through the casin l1 and having formed therein a plurality of apertures 33 to permit passage of air therethrough. The stabilizer 32 is so formed that the total area provided by the apertures 33 for the passage of air is relatively small and so that the stabilizer presents a relatively high resistance to the flow of air therethrough. Thus, for example, where a conventional outlet might normally offer a static resistance to the flow of air of approximately .05" water gauge, th stabilizer might present a resistance of the order of .25" water gauge, a resistance substantially greater than the resistance at the outlet which would normally be encountered. The resistance oifered by the stabilizer plate may be of any desired magnitude so long as it is sufiiciently high to be substantially greater than that which would normally be encountered at the outlet. However, it will be appreciated that as the resistance of the stabilizer is increased there results an increase in the power requirements of the fan circulating air through the system, and hence the resistance of the stabilizer should not be substantially higher than actually required. In practice, a static resistance of the order of .25" has been found to provide for discharge of air from the outlet at a substantially constant rate although in varying volume, with only a slight increase in the required fan horsepower. This increase in power input to the fan is more than warranted by the advantages flowing from stabilization of the discharge velocity.

The provision of the stabilizer relieves the damper 24 of any function except that of volume control; and since th velocity at which air passes through the stabilizer and outlet is determined by the static pressure developed behind the stabilizer, rather than by flow conditions as altered by changes in the position of the damper,

the velocity of discharge remains substantially constant at all times.

Variations in the static pressure of the duct system supplying air to the outlet necessarily tend to cause variations in the velocity of discharge, but Variations due to. such causes may be eliminated for all practical purposes if the stabilizer is so arranged that its resistance, as measured in terms of pressure drop, substantially exceeds the normal variations in static pressure in the duct system.

The stabilizer may comprise a perforated plate, as indicated above, or may be fabricated in any other suitable manner to accomplish the intended results in accordance with the principles herein set forth, Thus, for example, the perforated plate may be replaced, if desired, by one or more layers of screen mesh or the like offering suitable resistance to the passage of air therethrough, or by an apertured plate provided with a plurality of nozzles or the like.

Preferably, the damper, the stabilizer and the outlet grille or the like, are arranged in close proximity. This not only makes for a compact and convenient structure but also enhances the desired control eifect and makes for quiet operation of the outlet. To this end, for example, the stabilizer may be curved as indicated in Fig. 2, so that it follows the contour of the are described by motion of the free end of damper 24.

If desired, the damper may be positioned on the downstream side of the stabilizer, but in such case the damper position is reversed, so that the free end of the damper blade will extend upstream rather than downstream.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified construction which is identical with that disclosed in Fig. 2 except that the vertical vanes 23 of the outlet are eliminated. While the horizontally disposed and adjustable vanes 22 are indicated, it is to be understood that these may be replaced, if desired, by

any suitable grille construction, and may even be eliminated entirely if no regard is to be had for the appearance of the outlet or for the directional control of air discharged therefrom.

Figs. 6, 7 and 3 diagrammatically represent the installation of outlet in accordance with the invention over doorways 34, but it is to be understood that the invention is in no sense limited to such location of the outlets, or to the indicated size and proportions thereof. In Fig. 6 the operating lever 2! is controlled by means of a conventional control rod 35 of th type commonly used for adjusting the opening of transoms or the like, the control rod 35 preferably being adapted to remain in any position to which it has been adjusted.

In Fig. 7, the operating lever 2'! is adjusted under control of a suitable thermostatic device 33, arranged to operate a control mechanism 31 in control of the operating lever 21. Since various arrangements of this type are well-known in the art, and since such control does not, per se, form part of the present invention, no further description thereof is deemed required.

Fig. 8 diagrammatically illustrates the use of a conventional removable transom. stick or the like 38, for adjusting the position of the operating lever 21.

In Figs. 9-11 there is illustrated a modified form of the invention embodying an alternative damper arrangement and control therefor. In this embodiment of the invention the damper comprises a leaf 39a and a leaf 3%, the two being pivotally connected at 4B, the leaf 3% being hingedly mounted at 4|. The upper leaf 39a is provided with an angle piece 42. having a portion 42a, extending upwardly from the upper face of leaf 39a. An operating lever 43 extending through a slot 44 in the face of the outlet is pivotally connected to the side of casing Ila at 45, and an angularly extending branch 43a of the operating lever 43 is bent around the rearward extremity 45 of casing Ha and is pivotally connected at 41 to the upwardly extending portion 42a of angle piece 42.

Thus when the operating lever 53 is raised as illustrated in Fig. 9, the damper is collapsed to permit maximum air flow to and through the outlet. When the operating lever is is lowered as shown in Fig. 10, the damper leaf 39a is raised, raising with it the damper leaf 391), so that in the position shown air flow to the outlet is completely prevented. Intermediate adjustments of the operating lever 43 may be utilized to provide desired modulation of air flow between these maximum and minimum conditions. Preferably, the friction at pivotal connection 45 is sufiicient to maintain the operating lever 43 and the damper structure in desired position once it has been adjusted. It will be apparent that the arrangement of Figs. 9-11 permits a relatively compact structure, particular advantage Where space limitation would prevent the installation of a deeper structure. It will be noted further that the free end of the upper damper leaf moves vertically, and hence is always close to the stabilizer, regardless of the damper adjustment. So far as the desired regulation of air discharge is concerned, the results olotained are identical to those provided by the structure of Figs, 1-5, since th stabilizer 33a, although it is flat rather than curved, performs the same function as the stabilizer 32.

While damper arrangements as heretofore described are preferred, it is to be understood that other damper means may be used instead, if desired. Thus, for example, slide dampers blocking off different portions of the stabilizer may be used.

Since many changes may be made in the invention without departing from its scope, it is in tended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense, applicant limiting himself only as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for controlling the flow of gaseous fluid through a passageway, damper means adapted variably to restrict fluid flow through said passageway, a stabilizer comprising a perforated resistance means, said stabilizer being positioned adjacent said damper means and on the downstream side thereof with respect to the direction of flow of said fluid means for moving one edge of said damper means along the stabilizer with said edge in contact with the stabilizer and means for maintaining the oppo-- site edge of the damper means at one side cf the passageway to block a desired portion of the stabilizer, said stabilizer offering relativeiy high resistance to the flow of said fluid therethrough, whereby fluid is delivered from said stabilizer at a velocity independent of and unaffected by variations in the position of said damper means resulting in variations in the volume of fluid supplied to and delivered from the stabilizer.

2. In an apparatus for controlling the delivery of air from a duct or the like, damper means adapted to be adjustably positioned to varying degrees across the path of air to be delivered, and a stabilizer positioned on the downstream side thereof with respect to the direction of air flow said stabilizer comprising a perforated resistance means, said damper means being mounted adjacent the stabilizer, means for moving one edge of the damper means along the stabilizer with said edge in contact with the stabilizer, and

means for maintaining the opposite edge of the damper means at one side of the duct to block a desired portion of the stabilizer, said stabilizer being adapted to pass therethrough air which has passed said damper means and being arranged to present a relatively high resistance to the flow of air therethrough, the resistance of said stabilizer being sufficiently high to render variations in the adjustment of said damper means ineffective to vary the velocity of air discharged from said stabilizer, whereby air may be delivered from said stabilizer at a Velocity unaffected by variations in the volume of air discharged.

3. In an apparatus for controlling the delivery of air from a duct or the like, damper means, a stabilizer, said damper means being mounted adjacent the stabilizer, means for moving one edge of the damper means along the stabilizer with said edge in contact with the stabilizer, and means for maintaining the opposite edge of the damper means at one side of the duct to block a desired portion of the stabilizer, said stabilizer being positioned on the downstream side thereof with respect to the direction of air flow, said stabilizer being a perforated barrier adapted to pass therethrough air which has passed said damper means and being arranged to present a relatively high resistance to the flow of air therethrough, the resistance of said stabilizer being sufficiently high to render variations in the adjustment of said damper means ineffective to vary the velocity of air discharged from said stabilizer, whereby air may be delivered from, said stabilizer at a predetermined velocity unaffected by variations in the volume of air discharged.

4. An air outlet for an air passageway comprising an outlet grille, a stabilizer and a damper, said damper being mounted adjacent said stabilizer, damper positioning means for moving one edge of the damper along the stabilizer with said edge in contact with the stabilizer and for maintaining the opposite edge of the damper at one side of the passageway to block a desired portion of the stabilizer, said stabilizer being positioned on the downstream side of said damper and between said damper and outlet grille, said stabilizer being a perforated barrier adapted to pass therethrough air received from said damper and to present a relatively high resistance to the flow of such air, said damper being arranged under control of said damper positioning means to vary the volume of air delivered to said stabilizer and outlet grille, the resistance to air flow offered by said stabilizer being sufficiently high to render the velocity of air flow therethrough and through said grille a function of the static pressure upon the upstream side of said stabilizer rather than a function of the adjustment of said damper.

5. An air outlet for an air passageway comprising an outlet grille, a stabilizer and a damper, said damper being mounted adjacent said stabilizer, damper positioning means for moving one edge of the damper along the stabilizer with said edge in contact with the stabilizer and for maintaining the opposite edge of the damper at one side of the passageway to block a desired portion of the stabilizer, said stabilizer being positioned on the downstream side of said damper and between said damper and outlet grille, said stabilizer being a perforated barrier adapted to pass therethrough air received from said damper and to present a relatively high resistance to the flow of such air, means for controlling the damper to vary the volume of air delivered to said stabilizer and outlet grille, the resistance to air flow offered by said stabilizer being substantially greater than that offered by said outlet grille and being SLllfiClGlltlY high to render the velocity of air flow therethrough and through said grille a function of the static pressure upon the upstream side of said stabilizer rather than a function of the adjustment of said damper.

6. An air outlet for an air passageway comprising an outlet grille, a stabilizer and a damper, said damper being mounted adjacent said stabilizer, damper positioning means for moving one edge of the damper along the stabilizer with said edge in contact with the stabilizer and for maintaining the opposite edge of the damper at one side of the passageway to block a desired portion of the stabilizer, said stabilizer being positioned on the downstream side of said damper and between said damper and outlet grille, said stabilizer being a perforated barrier adapted to pass therethrough air received from said damper and to present a relatively high resistance to the flow of such air, means for controlling the damper to vary the volume of air delivered to said stabilizer and outlet grille, the resistance to air flow ofiered by said stabilizer being of the order of at least several times the resistance offered by said outlet grille and being sufficiently high to render the velocity of air fiow therethrough and through said grille a function of the static pressure upon the upstream side of said stabilizer rather than a function of the adjustment of said damper.

7. An air outlet for an air distributing system comprising adjustably operable damper means in a duct, a stabilizer in the duct, said damper means being mounted adjacent the stabilizer, means for moving one edge of the damper means along the stabilizer with said edge in contact with the stabilizer, and means for positioning the opposite edge of the damper within the duct to block a desired portion of the stabilizer, said stabilizer being positioned on the downstream side of said damper means with respect to the direction of air flow, said stabilizer being a perforated barrier arranged to pass therethrough air received from said damper means and to present a relatively high resistance to the flow of such air, the resistance of said stabilizer being sufficiently high to render variations in the adjustment of said damper means ineffective to vary the velocity at which air is discharged from said stabilizer, the normal pressure drop through said stabilizer due to the resistance thereof being substantially greater than normal variations in the static pressure of said distributing system, whereby under varying operating conditions varying air volumes may be discharged from said outlet at substantially constant velocity.

8. In an apparatus for controlling the delivery of air from a duct or the like, damper means adapted to be adjustably positioned to varying degrees across the path of air to be delivered, and a stabilizer comprising an apertured or foraminous partition positioned on the downstream side thereof with respect to the direction of air flow, said damper means mounted adjacent said stabilizer, means for moving one edge of the damper means along the stabilizer with said edge in contact with the stabilizer, means for maintaining the opposite edge of the damper means positioned within the duct to block a desired portion of the stabilizer, said stabilizer being adapted to pass therethrough air which has passed said damper means and being arranged to present a relatively high resistance to the flow fof air therethrough, the resistance of said stabilizer being suflioiently high to render variations in the adjustment of said damper means inefiective to vary'the velocity of air discharged from said stabilizer, whereby air may be delivered from said stabilizer at a velocity unaffected by variations in the volume of air discharged.

9. In an apparatus for controlling the delivery of air from a duct or the like, damper means adapted to be adjustably positioned to varying degrees across the path of air to be delivered, and a stabilizer comprising an apertured or foraminous partition positioned on the downstream side thereof with respect to the direction of air flow, said damper means mounted adjacent said stabilizer, means for moving one edge of the damper means along the stabilizer with said edge in contact with the stabilizer, means for maintaining the opposite edge of the damper means positioned within the duct to block a desired portion of the stabilizer, said stabilizer being arranged to follow the contour of the path described by motion of the edge of said damper means contacting therewith, said stabilizer being adapted to pass therethrough air which has passed said damper means and being arranged to present a relatively high resistance to the flow of air therethrough, the resistance of said stabilizer being sufficiently high to render variations in the adjustment of said damper means ineffective to vary the velocity of air discharged from said stabilizer whereby air may be delivered from said stabilizer at a velocity unaffected by variations in the volume of air discharged.

10. In an air discharge outlet for discharging air from a duct system or the like, damper means, a stabilizer comprising a perforated plate maintained completely across the path of air travel and positioned adjacent the damper means, said stabilizer being proximate the point of air discharge and presenting a relatively high resistance to air flow therethrough, means for moving one edge of said damper means along the stabilizer with said edge in contact with the stabilizer, and means for positioning the opposite edge of the damper within the path of air travel to block desired portions of the stabilizer so that air may be discharged from said outlet in varying volume, the resistance to air flow offered by said stabilizer being sufficiently high to nullify any substantial effect of changes in the adjustment of said damper means upon the velocity of air discharge from said outlet, whereby air may be discharged from} said outlet at a velocity independent of an unaffected by changes in the voltune of air discharged.

CARLYLE M. ASHLEY. 

